Legendary skydiver Felix Baumgartner, best known for free fall from space, dies in paragliding accident

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Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian skydiver best known for his record-setting dive from space, died in a paragliding accident in Italy Thursday, according to Italian officials. He was 56. 

Baumgartner was reportedly flying a motorized paraglider in the coastal town of Porto Sant'Elpidio in the Marche region of Italy, where he was said to have crashed into a hotel pool. 

Felix Baumgartner of Austria prepares to exit the capsule before his jump at the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos in Roswell, N.M., March 15, 2012. (balazsgardi.com/Red Bull Content Pool)

According to Sky Austria, he fell ill suddenly before the crash. A hotel employee was also taken to a hospital after sustaining injuries in the accident, the report stated. 

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Baumgartner’s reps. 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a representative for RedBull said, "We are shocked and overwhelmed with sadness to hear the devastating news of our longtime friend Felix Baumgartner.

"Felix was ‘born to fly’ and was determined to push the limits. He was also smart, professional, thorough and meticulous, never leaving anything to chance. He was generous, giving much of his time to help and inspiring so many people.
 
"We remember Felix as a lovely person, devoted to his family and friends, to whom we send our heartfelt sympathy. Felix, you will be deeply missed."

Skydiver Felix Baumgartner talks during a news conference at the Windsor Atlantic Hotel during the 2013 Laureus World Sports Awards March 9, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.   (Buda Mendes/Getty Images for Laureus)

The mayor of the town,